Technical Writing Explained
In a Nutshell
Technical writers explain how to “do” something, generally something technical, in such a way that the explanation unfolds in a logical pattern and makes sense to the intended audience. Technical writers may produce documents for use in-house (company employees) or for specific clients (like the military) or for anyone who purchases the product (the general public).
Technical writers need to be ready to produce just about anything that another person would read, scan, bookmark, or post on the wall, including books, flyers, brochures, online help, flowcharts, training booklets, diagrams, tech manuals, user guides, or Web pages.
What Technical Writers Produce
Although many technical writers document computer software, the technical writing field includes anyone who writes about any technical subject. For example, companies hire technical writers to write or edit:
- Software user manuals and online help
- Computer hardware installation and upgrade guides
- Operator’s manuals for TVs, VCRs, cell phones, iPODs—anything technical
- Instructions for voting electronically
- Web site and Internet guides
- Test results, including medical, chemical, and environmental tests
- Training manuals and teacher guides
The next time you purchase something that comes with user directions, know that most likely a technical writer had something to do with creating those directions, even if the document contains mostly pictures and arrows.
Fields
Any industry that produces goods and market services needs the services of a technical writer. If you are interested in writing for a living, you can combine that interest with your penchant interest in most any field, including the computer industry, telecommunications, finance, science, bio–tech, medicine, transportation, manufacturing, aerospace or the armed forces.
Although the method for producing documentation is essentially the same no matter what the field, many technical writers do not just “write” all the time—they may be called upon to create a Web site, to work with multimedia, or to create storyboards for classroom training materials. This variety makes technical writing a dynamic field.